Series Preface
The world consists of many complex systems, ranging from our own bodies to ecosystems to economic systems. Despite their diversity, complex
systems have many structural and functional features in common that can
be effectively modeled using powerful, user-friendly software . As a result,
virtually anyone can explore the nature of complex systems and their dynamical behavior under a range of assumptions and conditions. This ability
to model dynamic systems is already having a powerful influence on teaching and studying complexity .
The books in this series will promote this revolution in "systems thinking" by integrating computational skills of numeracy and dynamic modeling
techniques into a variety of disciplines . The unifying theme across the series will be the power and simplicity of the model-building process, and all
books are designed to engage readers in developing their own models for
exploration of the dynamics of systems that are of interest to them.
Modeling Dynamic Systems does not endorse any particular modeling
paradigm or software . Rather, the volumes in the series will emphasize simplicity of learning, expressive power, and the speed of execution as priorities that will facilitate deeper understanding of systems.
Matthias Ruth and Bruce Hannon
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